October 2008 Pole Sitter: None due to inclement weather. #48-Johnson started 1st based on pts

Track Qualifying Record: Geoffrey Bodine, 11/16/1997, 197.479mph

THIS IS UNOFFICIAL

Martin on pole at Atlanta: #5-Mark Martin won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway with a lap of 187.045mph for his 1st pole since Richmond in May 2001 [257 races ago] and 42nd career pole. Martin is the 2nd oldest pole winner ever [Harry Gant was is the oldest at 54 years, 7 months]. #2-Busch will start 2nd followed by #26-McMurray, #42-Montoya, #16-Biffle, #11-Hamlin, #48-Johnson, #87-Nemechek, #18-Busch and #29-Harvick. Points leader, #24-Gordon will start 16th and #88-Earnhardt Jr. will start 20th.
The Go-or-go homers that made the race: #87-Nemechek, #14-Stewart, #28-Kvapil, #66-Blaney, #71-Gilliland, #21-Elliott, #44-Allmendinger and #09-Bliss
Missing the race: #35-Todd Bodine, #36-Riggs, #41-Mayfield and #64-Geoff Bodine.(3-6-2009)

Coverage of Qualifying for the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2009 at 6:40pm/et.
TV: SPEED at 6:30pm/et
Radio: PRN Radio and Sirius Satellite NASCAR Radio
Jayski.com: Jayski's FREE Semi-Live Qualifying Page.
Qualifying Re-Air: on SPEED at 12:00am/et

Rookie of the Year Candidates: how fast were they and where do they start:
#13-Max Papis DNR
#20-Joey Logano, 181.938mph, starts ?
#82-Scott Speed, 183.978, starts ?
DNR = Did not race
DNQ = Did not qualify for race

Drivers in RED will be required to qualify on time/speed, not in top 35

Drivers in MAROON will be required to qualify on time/speed, not in top 35BUT has a past champions provisional available if needed, only one is used, so if there are two or more past champs
the driver who has won the championship most recently, gets the spot.

What happens if qualifying AND the qualifying races gets rained out?

If it is the first 5 races of the season, the previous season OWNERS points are used:

#1) - Previous season Owner Points [position 1-35][do not have to attempt all the races]
#2) - Race winners from the previous and current season not already in the field
#3) - Past Sprint Cup Champions not in by 1 or 2
#4) - Current season Owner Points [Top 35][not in by rules 1-3]
#5) - Current season race attempts ties broken by current owners points standings [not in by rules 1-4]

Past Champions Limited To 6 Provisional Berths in Cup: NASCAR announced an update to the past champion’s provisional rule in the Sprint Cup Series for 2007. Beginning this season, a past champion’s provisional may be used by an eligible driver a maximum of six times over the course of the season. In addition, a team with a past champion eligible driver may only use this provisional a maximum of six times during a season. Previously, there was no limit on usage of the past champion’s provisional over the course of the 36-race season. The provisional gives the eligible driver the 43rd and final starting position in the race field. "As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,” said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.”(NASCAR PR)
This is only for a team/driver OUTSIDE the top-35 in owners points, drivers whose team is in the top-35 in owners points, would already be guaranteed in the field and not need the Past Champions Provisional.